When you think of heritage, you often refer to a language or culture, right? But as South Africans, we’re privileged to have another layer of heritage – the magnificent biodiversity found only in our country.
The Cape Floral Kingdom – although the smallest of only six floral kingdoms worldwide – is the floral kingdom with the largest botanical diversity. It’s home to Fynbos, including SA’s national flower, the Protea. But growing alongside the Protea is another national treasure: a fynbos plant called Buchu, which medicinal properties have formed part of the fabric of South Africa for centuries.
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Buchulife producer, Cape Kingdom Nutraceuticals’ managing director Karin McCann explains why Buchu should hold a special place in the heart of all South Africans:
It’s homegrown
Buchu is endemic to the Western Cape, growing nowhere else in the world. For hundreds of years Buchu has helped to effectively manage a range of ailments, including common colds, gut-related ailments, bladder infections, skin conditions, joint pain and hypertension. This knowledge was first discovered by the indigenous San and Khoi people centuries ago. They considered the herb to be a cure for all ills and an aid to longevity.
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It’s world travelled
The earliest documented use of Buchu was in the early 1700’s when the San and Khoi people introduced Buchu to European settlers. They took the herb to Europe in the latter part of the 1700’s. It became known as ‘Noble’s Tea’, as only the exceptionally wealthy could afford to purchase its leaves. By the 1820’s Buchu was introduced to the medical profession, and by the 1860’s the leaf had been imported into the United States as a panacea for a wide variety of ailments. The use of Buchu rapidly spread around the world, and evidence of its fame and widespread use can be found in the cargo manifest of the Titanic, which was carrying thirteen bales of Buchu when she went down.
It’s a local secret
A recently published peer-reviewed scientific research study has confirmed the overwhelming anecdotal evidence of Buchu’s phenomenal medicinal properties and health benefits that it offers. This includes the antihypertensive, antidiabetic, cardiovascular protective, antimicrobial and natural anti-inflammatory properties of Buchu. In layman’s terms, it lowers blood pressure, assist in the management of blood sugar levels, is great to maintain heart health, works wonders for wound healing and assists in the management of chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, bladder infections and eczema. Buchu extracts is also excellent for detox applications due to its natural diuretic properties. What more can you ask for in one plant?
It’s an international celebrity
Buchu has been gaining in popularity around the world. The plant could be the next “Pinotage” of South Africa. Buchu has all the merits to qualify for Geographic Indication status – a form of intellectual property right given to products that are produced in a certain way and that attribute their quality and reputation to their place of origin. The status was awarded to Rooibos in 2014. This status was also awarded to the unique cultivar Pinotage.
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The health benefits of Buchu
According to Cape Kingdom Nutraceuticals, Prof. Patrick Bouic and Prof. Barbara Huisamen, the top health benefits of buchu include:
- The management of joint pain/arthritis
- The management of chronic inflammatory conditions such as eczema/psoriasis
- The management and prevention of bladder infections and UTIs
- It’s an excellent detox ingredient due to natural diuretic properties
- Fantastic wound healing properties (antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory)
- Soothes and assists with healing of rashes, bites, burns bruises, pimples etc.
- Anti-hypertensive – brings blood pressure down
- Anti-diabetic – assist with management of healthy blood sugar levels
- Cardiovascular protecting properties
- Buchu as application for pre-metabolic syndrome
For more information and to find out about Buchu products, visit Cape Kingdom Neutraceuticals’ website here.
DISCLAIMER: You must not rely on the information on this website/newsletter as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.
